Wises STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL, PROJECT & THESIS ” Top page to include: B) Title - A concise statement of the main topic and should identify the variables. - Should be a reflection of the contents of the document. - Fully explanatory when standing alone. : Should not contain redundancies such us ‘a study of,....or ‘an investigation Of... : Abbreviations should not appear in the title. : Scientific names should be in italics. : Should contain 12 to 15 words. Author's name and affiliation = Avoid use of words like *By..... from... = © Preferred order of names- start with I", middle followed by last name = Full names should be used, initials should be avoided. = Titles like Dr. should not appear in the names, Affiliation should be well illustrated i.e. ‘A thesis/ research project submitted to the Department of ......:..in the School for Communication & Development Studies in partial fulfillment for the degree of ....... of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.” The year should follow al the bottom of the caption. Note: -For Proposal (spiral bound) the cover page should include the title, author's affiliation (all on one page) and centered, ° Declaration — should include both the candidate's and the supervisor's declaration and duly signed This proposal/ Thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University Signature : 7 Date i This proposal/ Thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as University Sepervisor SignatureW1-2-58-4-3 Note; paginate using roman numbers starting with the declaration page C) Abstract- This is a brief statement of the problem, objectives of the study, target population, sampling technique and sample size, instruments, data collection, data processing and analysis, key findings and major recommendations. - Should not exceed 1000 words. D) Table of contents -The rubric should be in title case and single spaced. - ‘The chapter titles should be in caps and bold. The subheadings should follow each chapter title and should be in title case. Subheading of rows should be - Chapter & Pages indicted once at the top of each column e.g., CHAPTER | 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Statement of the pr PAGE t 1 2 Reference Appendices E) List of Tables F) List of Figures G) Acronyms H) Definition of terms Define terms in the text that are not common.W1-2-58-4-3 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Should include the following: 1.1 Background ~Should show the understanding and genesis of the problem. -Talk about the global perspective followed by the local scenario. -Talk about the target group in the study Should be approximately 5 pages (4-6 pages) 1.2 Statement of the problem ~Must indicate exactly what the problem is. -Indicate why and how it is a problem. Give information to support this e.g. by use of Statistics or evidence. This should be derived from background information to illustrate connectivity. -Length- Maximum | page. 1.3 Objectives ~ One general objective which should be in Line with the title. ~ Specific objectives- have to be in line with the variables the candidates hypothesize to influence the phenomenon being investigated. ~ Should be related to the general objective. ~ Should not be questions in the questionnaire. 1.4 Research Questions + They should be in line with the specific objectives and equal in number. + Have to be numbered (1, 2, 3.....) and should be questions and not statements. 1.5 Justification -Should illustrate why the researcher is conducting the research and whom it shall benefit. , 1.6 Scope ~ This is a kind of a disclaimer. Should cite the focus of the study either geographical area or target group/ population. 1.7 Limitation ~ Not ¢ must for a proposal. - Has to be therein the final thesis/project report. ~ Indicate the challenges encountered in the study that may have limited the study. Note: - Paragraphing should be consistent. Either leave space or indent between Paragraphs. ~ Spacing and indenting should not be used together, One sentence paragraphs are unacceptable. ‘A paragraph should have a minimum of five sentences. Table of contents should be followed by: ~ List of Tables - Should be labeled as per the chapters in which they are found €.g. the first figure in chapter one should be labeled as Figure |. ~ List of tables- Tables should be labeled as above, ~ List of Tables should be followed by: ; + List of Figures i + Acronymswi? 6645 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW This is include. 2.1 Introduction 22 Theoretical Review / Conceptual Framework - Review the empirical and theoretical literature relevant to the problem being investigated. - Indicate what has been done by other researchers including the methodologies used and identify gaps. - The hypothesized variables shoul influences what. - Use APA or Harvard method of citation, Consistency is important incitation. \d be subheadings of the literature review to form a framework that would help in analysis. ; : Conceptual framework should demonstrate an understanding of what variable Cite 3-5 references per key section in the text. - Each key variable should be 2-3 pages long. 24 — Review of variables 2.5 Empirical review / studies 2.7 Research gaps 2.8 © Summary CHAPTER 3 Critique of the existing literature relevant to the study METHODOLOGY Should indicate: 3.1 Introduction 32 ga geszareh by citing authority target population. 34 Sampling frame, Justify the choice. 3.6 Instruments. 3.7 Data collection procedure. 3.8" Pilot test. 3.9 Data Processing and analysis. REFERENCES Research design- Indicate type of research, justify the choice of type of Population- clearly identify the population and the target population. Justify the Sample and sampling technique- illustrate understanding of the technique. APPENDICES : Instruments ( e.g questionnaires), Bud, Note: that this chapter is presented passively and in hese Budget, workplan‘Will include the three chapters plus; CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS + Style presentation of raw data followed by discussion = Should be guided by the methodology. Unit of analysis should be based on the Tesearch questions or objectives and should capture the independent variables. ~ Tables should have no vertical lines (use simple formatting) ~ Table titles should be at the top of the tables. = Tables copied from elsewhere should have source below them. ~ Any table generated by the researcher should not have the source quote + Figure titles ould be at the bottom of the figures. ~ Figures can have different shadings. = Discussion should follow the results CHAPTER S$ SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 5.1 INTRODUCTION. A brief on the chapter 5.2 SUMMARY: This is an extended abstract 5.3 CONCLUSION. Should be derived from the summary 5.4 RECOMMENDATION REFERENCES APPENDICES ~ Instruments = Tables ~ Figures = Letters of introduction ~ Budget®* = Workplan** Should come from the conclusions **Not required for'thesis